Elastomeric pumps

Abstract

This invention provides the fluid-handling device which includes a curved base member of which the surface is closed upon its self, for example a truncated cone, and an elastomeric member adapted to receive and enclose the base member. The elastomeric member defines a number of chambers at its contact with the base member, these including an inlet chamber divided by a sloping partition integral with the elastomeric member, and a outlet chamber also divided by a sloping partition intergral with the elastomeric member. The elastomeric member also includes a dome adjacent the end or truncation of the base member, and this dome defines with the base member a chamber of variable volume, which is connected to the inlet and outlet chambers by suitable passageways which result in a pumping action when the dome is depressed and then released.

I claim: 
     
       1. A fluid-handling device comprising: a base member having a curved base wall closed upon itself and an end portion spanning across said curved base wall to define an edge thereof,   and an elastomeric member having   a. a closed curved wall portion which snugly embraces said curved base wall except for   b. an inlet chamber defined in part by a first recess in said closed curved wall, said inlet chamber being divided into upstream and downstream compartments by an inlet partition integral with said elastomeric member, the partition resting resiliently against the base wall and defining in the upstream compartment an acute angle with the part of the base wall it contacts; and except for   c. an outlet chamber defined in part by a second recess in said closed curved wall, said outlet chamber being divided into upstream and downstream compartments by an outlet partition integral with said elastomeric member, the partition resting resiliently against the base wall and defining in said last-mentioned upstream compartment an acute angle with the part of the base wall it contacts;   d. and a deformable, self-restoring bulb portion capping said closed curved wall portion and defining a pumping chamber with said end portion of the base member,   the fluid-handling device further including: passageway means joining the pumping chamber to the downstream inlet compartment and to the upstream outlet compartment, means communicating the upstream inlet compartment with a fluid reservoir, and means permitting exit of fluid from said downstream outlet compartment.   
     
     
       2. The invention claimed in claim 1, in which said passageway means includes two recessed channels in said closed curved wall portion, and in which said means communicating said upstream inlet compartment with a fluid reservoir includes an opening in said curved base wall within said upstream inlet compartment, and a feed tube having one end at said opening and the other end in the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
       3. The invention claimed in claim 1, in which the means permitting exit of fluid from said downstream outlet compartment includes an outlet orifice in said closed curved wall portion. 
     
     
       4. The invention claimed in claim 2, in which the means permitting exit of fluid from said downstream outlet compartment includes an outlet orifice surrounded by a recessed pocket in said closed curved wall portion, the outlet orifice being surrounded by a poppet valve which, in the absence of pumping pressure in the pocket, is urged resiliently into closing contact with said curved base wall. 
     
     
       5. The invention claimed in claim 4, further including a shroud member surrounding said elastomeric member, the shroud member having an opening providing digital access to said bulb portion and a nozzle in communication with said outlet orifice. 
     
     
       6. The invention claimed in claim 1, in which the elastomeric member further has a vent chamber defined in part by a third recess in said closed curved wall, said vent chamber being divided into upstream and downstream compartments by a vent partition integral with said elastomeric member, the partition resting resiliently against the base wall and defining in the upstream compartment an acute angle with the part of the base wall it contacts, the fluid-handling device including means for admitting air from the exterior to said vent upstream compartment, the base member including a passage by which air in the vent downstream compartment can enter the fluid reservoir. 
     
     
       7. The invention claimed in claim 6, in which the fluid-handling device further includes a fluid container upon which said base member and elastomeric member are mounted, the fluid container constituting said fluid reservoir. 
     
     
       8. The invention claimed in claim 5, in which said shroud acts to maintain said elastomeric member in snug surrounding engagement with said base member. 
     
     
       9. The invention claimed in claim 1, in which the curved base wall is a conical frustum, and in which the closed curved wall portion of the elastomeric member is complementary with said curved base wall. 
     
     
       10. For use with a base member having a curved base wall closed upon itself and an end portion spanning across said curved base wall to define an edge thereof, an integral elastomeric member comprising:   a. a closed curved wall portion having an inside and an outside; an inlet recess on the inside divided into upstream and downstream compartments by an inlet partition which is integral with said elastomeric member, which is adapted to rest resiliently against said base wall when the closed curved wall portion snugly embraces said curved base wall, and which defines in the upstream compartment an acute angle with the part of the curved base wall it contacts when so resting; an outlet recess on the inside divided into upstream and downstream compartments by an outlet partition which is integral with said elastomeric member, which is adapted to rest resiliently against said base wall when the closed curved wall portion snugly embraces said curved base wall, and which defines in said last-mentioned upstream compartment an acute angle with the part of the curved base wall it contacts when so resting; and   b. a deformable, self-restoring bulb portion capping said closed curved wall and adapted to define a pumping chamber with said end portion of the base member; and   c. recesses on said inside joining the pumping chamber to the downstream inlet compartment and to the upstream outlet compartment.   
     
     
       11. The invention claimed in claim 10, further comprising an outlet orifice in said closed curved wall portion communicating with said downstream outlet compartment. 
     
     
       12. The invention claimed in claim 11, in which the outlet orifice is surrounded by a poppet valve which, in the absence of pumping pressure in that compartment, is adapted to rest resiliently in closing contact with said curved base wall when the closed curved wall portion snugly embraces said curved base wall. 
     
     
       13. The invention claimed in claim 10, in which the inside of the closed curved wall portion defines a conical frustum.